. >> house speaker john boehner gave the republican address this morning, saying shoring up entitlements and reforming the tax code will lead to more jobs and a stronger economy. both sides agree another recession will hit if the nation falls over this so-called fiscal cliff, which is a combination of automatic spending cuts and tax rate increases that are scheduled to kick in at the start of next year. >>> thousands of customers are still without power nearly two weeks after sandy hit, and now their utility might raise their rates. the ceo of con edison has said he is very sorry that some people have gone 12 days without power, but his company plans to hike utility rates for gas, steam, and electricity anyway. many are questioning the timing of such an increase. >> it seems crazy. i know they are probably dealing with an antiquated infrastructure, but i mean, shouldn't they have thought about this maybe down the road a little bit? >> i think it's outrageous, considering what people have gone through. >> if the public service commission approves the rate hike this month, it would go into